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STAT 86th Legislative Session Recap

When the 86th Texas Legislature convened in January, Gov. Greg Abbott declared that the state must invest more in public education, and newly elected House Speaker Dennis Bonnen stocked the House members’ lounge with Styrofoam cups that read “School Finance Reform, The Time Is Now.” Now, sine die (the last day of the legislative session) has passed, and legislators have returned home to their constituents having achieved their goal of passing major school finance legislation (HB 3).

Here’s a look at the major education legislation passed by the 86th Legislature. HB 3 does not contain any specific provisions pertaining to science education, but of course any legislation affecting public education in such a fundamental away will have an impact on Texas science educators.

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Legislative Update: Conference Committee Named for School Finance Bill HB 3

With just over two weeks left in the 86th legislative session, Speaker Dennis Bonnen and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick have appointed a conference committee to hammer out the differences between the versions of school finance bill HB 3 passed by the House and Senate.

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Legislative Update: A Closer Look at HB 3 as It Heads to the Senate

The Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT) applauds the April 3 passage of House Bill 3 by the Texas House of Representatives on a 148-1 vote. HB 3 represents a significant investment in public education and would pump $6.3 billion of new funding into Texas public schools. The bill would also dedicate $2.7 billion to property tax compression.

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